‘I quit Man Utd for Tottenham despite huge contract offer – this is why I moved on
Teddy Sheringham’s decision to leave Manchester United in 2001, despite being offered a new contract, was shaped by both personal and professional factors.
After spending four successful years at Old Trafford, where he collected six major trophies, including the famous Treble in 1999, Sheringham decided it was time to move on.
At the age of 35, he was coming off one of his best seasons for United, having finished as the club’s top scorer with 21 goals and receiving several prestigious awards, including PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.
Sheringham’s performances in his final season proved that age was just a number. He was instrumental in helping Manchester United secure a third consecutive Premier League title, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.
Sir Alex Ferguson recognized Sheringham’s contribution and offered him a 12-month extension to stay at Old Trafford.
However, Sheringham had other priorities that influenced his choice to decline the offer and return to Tottenham Hotspur, the club where he had initially made his name.
One of the primary reasons Sheringham cited for his decision was the opportunity to spend more time with his young son, Charlie.
Moving back to London would allow him to be closer to his family, and this personal reason weighed heavily on his mind.
Sheringham expressed his gratitude for his time at Manchester United but also recognized that returning to Tottenham presented an opportunity that might not come again if he had stayed at United for another year.
Professionally, Sheringham had some frustrations during his final season at United, particularly with his limited involvement in key matches.
One of his disappointments was only being used as a substitute in United’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich.
Sheringham believed he could have contributed more to the team in those critical matches and voiced his frustration to Ferguson, especially after having played a crucial role in United’s success in Europe earlier that season.
Sheringham’s return to Tottenham was seen as a natural move, considering his previous successful stint at the club, where he had first established himself as one of the Premier League’s top strikers.
During his first spell at Spurs, he had scored 124 goals in 277 games, a record that made him a fan favorite. His return was met with excitement by Spurs supporters, and even Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged that the offer from Tottenham was too good for Sheringham to turn down.
Ferguson praised Sheringham’s contributions during his time at Manchester United, referring to him as a “great servant” who had made a significant impact on the club’s success.
Ultimately, Sheringham’s decision to leave Manchester United was a combination of wanting to prioritize his family and seeking new professional challenges.
Despite leaving one of the most successful clubs in world football, his legacy at Old Trafford remained intact, and his return to Tottenham allowed him to finish his career on his terms.
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